ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Title:
Awareness, knowledge and experiences of women regarding cervical cancer in rural Kwa-
Zulu-Natal, South Africa.
Background:
Cervical cancer has been identified as the second most common cancer in women and
contributes to the high mortality rate in women. Among all cancers in women, cervical
cancer is rated the second most common cancer in women worldwide. In poorly
resourced settings, access to services offering cervical screening is still a challenge and it
is estimated that more than 50% of women in developing countries have never had a
single screening test for cervical abnormalities.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess women’s awareness, attitudes and experiences
regarding cervical smear testing and for cervical cancer in rural KwaZulu-Natal and to
better understand factors influencing access to and utilization of cervical cancer screening
services by rural women.
Methods:
The method employed was a descriptive study using a questionnaire to collect quantitative
data. The sample consisted of 69 women aged 30 years and above, was taken from women
who were enrolled in the on-going Microbicide Clinical Trial and attending follow-up
clinic visits between July and August 2009. The primary outcome measure for the
analyses was who has been screened for cervical cancer and this was assessed from the
previous history reports of the women. The secondary outcome measure was to investigate
knowledge and perceptions regarding cervical cancer and screening. Socio-demographic
factors associated with having been screened were also explored.
Results:
Out of 69 women, only N=13 (18.8%) reported ever screening for cervical cancer. More
than half of women who had never screened reported lack of information as a barrier to
screening N=50 (71.4%). Older women aged 35-45, 45 and above were less likely to
screen compared to women aged 30 to 34 years of age (OR: 0.06). Having an educational
background seemed to increase the likelihood to screen, twice if a woman had primary
education (OR 2.0) and almost three times (OR 2.67) if a woman had a secondary or a
higher education. More than half of the respondents considered themselves at risk for
cervical cancer N=42 (60.8%) and almost all showed a willingness to screen in the future
N=64 (93%).
Conclusion:
Most of the women in this study had never been screened for cervical cancer in their
lifetime as reflected by n=55 (82%) while only n=14 (18%) ever screened for cervical
cancer. The results of this study cannot be generalised to the population due to the small
sample size. However, there is need to facilitate comprehensive health education and the
implementation of cervical screening programmes to target women in rural communities
to contribute to the success of the cervical screening programme. The results of this study
showed that 60% of respondents were informed by health care professionals on cervical
cancer screening. Health care workers also should play a vital role in educating
communities on cervical cancer and on the benefits for cervical cancer screening, through
reaching all patients who utilise health care services with cervical cancer information and
also communities through outreach programmes.